Only 29 kids in detention, two boats turned back: Dutton

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton says only 29 children remain in immigration detention and that number is heading to zero.

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton. Source: AAP

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton says the number of children being held in immigration detention has dropped to 29.

Speaking at a press conference today, he said he was "determined to be the minister that not only stops the boats but gets kids out of detention."

"To have that number at 29 heading towards zero is a significant outcome, I'm very proud of it."

Mr Dutton said that it had been 600 days since the last asylum-seeker boat arrival.

"Since Operation Sovereign Borders began, 25 boats carrying 698 people have been turned back and safely returned to their country of departure," he said.

"The government is as resolute as we've ever been in staring down the continuing threat from people smugglers."

He confirmed two boats had been intercepted in recent weeks.

Syria refugee intake

Mr Dutton went on to say that immigration authorities had so far assessed about 9000 Syrians ahead of resettling them in Australia.

"About 9,000 people have been interviewed and assessed and are being processed through health, security and character checks," he said.

So far, 1600 visas have been issued to approved applicants fleeing war-torn areas with more than 300 people already settled here.

"I would like to see people as they come from Syria and Iraq to live around the country," Mr Dutton said in response to concerns large groups could settle in one place.